Mont44

Will absolutely never forget this. Ever. I was a freshman at University of South Carolina in 2001. Living in LaBorde Hall. My phone rang that morning in my dorm. I didn't feel like getting down from the bunk bed to answer it. It rang again. I ignored it again. I answered on the third time. It was my Dad, telling me he was OK. I had no idea what he was talking about. He said to turn on the TV. I did. I don't even remember how long I just sat and watched. I was a month removed from living in NY. My dad was in Manhattan for work, walking to his office when the plane hit. It was parents weekend that weekend. It was all stunning. I remember on September 12th, I got my first cell phone at the Russell House, because my parents couldn't get in touch with me at the worst moment in my home city's history. I was so confused about everything. But, I actually felt safer being in Columbia, SC. It was all just so surreal. Then, days later, I sat with my friends and watched every minute of that USC- Mississippi State game. We drank a few beers (underage). That game was the first feeling of normalcy I'd felt. Hands down. It started us on the path to healing, but never forgetting.